Danilo Kiš’s A Tomb for Boris Davidovich is a razor-sharp, haunting, and sometimes darkly funny exploration of ideology, betrayal, and the cruelty of revolutions. The interconnected stories - which span from Stalinist purges to medieval inquisitions - feature unforgettable characters and reveal universal patterns of injustice. The writing is both lyrical and unsparing, with a touch of wry humor that punctuates the bleakness. If you appreciate literary fiction with historical depth, moral complexity, and don't mind a bit of existential chill, this slim volume is a modern classic. Think Borges meets Kafka in Eastern Europe.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Some readers found the book challenging due to its complex structure and shifting perspectives. The stories can feel cold or emotionally detached, and the relentless focus on suffering and historical brutality isn’t for everyone. There was also controversy over Kiš’s use of real historical text fragments, which some critics labeled as plagiarism. If you prefer straightforward narratives or are looking for something uplifting, you might find this collection a bit too stark or difficult to connect with.

A powerful, unsettling look into the absurdity and violence of 20th-century revolutions - cleverly written and deeply affecting, but demanding and definitely not light reading.

About:

'A Tomb for Boris Davidovich' by Danilo Kis is a collection of short stories that delve into the dark and harrowing experiences of individuals affected by revolutionary movements and totalitarian states. The stories, set in various time periods and locations, explore the themes of suffering, horror, and the impact of ideology on humanity. Kis employs a lyrical and detached writing style that juxtaposes the atrocities depicted in the narratives, creating a sense of grim realism and poignant reflection on the nature of human existence.

Characters:

Characters are vividly portrayed and often embody the struggles faced under oppressive regimes, reflecting real historical contexts.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is lyrical and detached, blending classical descriptive elements with modern irony and dark humor.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative consists of interconnected stories focusing on the impacts of revolutions and the dark consequences they bring to people's lives.

Setting:

Settings range from 20th-century Eastern Europe to medieval France, grounding the stories in significant historical moments of oppression.

Pacing:

The pacing is compact and impactful, allowing readers to engage deeply with the stories in a single session.

Notes:

The book is part of the Writers from the Other Europe series edited by Philip Roth.

It consists of seven interconnected short stories including the titular one.

Despite none of the characters being Serbo-Croatian, the stories sparked controversy in Yugoslavia due to their portrayal of Stalinist oppression.

Kis faced accusations of plagiarism because he included direct quotes from other texts in his writing.

He eventually fled to Paris due to the controversy surrounding his work and experienced issues in his marriage and health.

One story, 'Dogs and Books', is set in 1330 and focuses on the persecution of Jews during the Inquisition.

The stories often draw parallels between historical oppression and more contemporary totalitarian regimes.

Kis writes in a style that combines classical descriptive elements with modern techniques, making the characters feel vivid and real.

Joseph Brodsky noted that only the names in the book are fictitious, suggesting the stories reflect true historical horrors.

The collection ends with a pseudo-biography of a fictional character, emphasizing the absurdities of reality through a humorous lens.

The themes of violence and ideology are central to the collection, showcasing how revolutions can consume their own.

Critics describe Kis's work as both heartening and unflinching, addressing human dignity amidst horrors.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes high content warnings for themes of violence, persecution, and human suffering.

From The Publisher:

Composed of seven dark tales, A Tomb for Boris Davidovich presents variations on the theme of political and social self-destruction throughout Eastern Europe in the first half of the twentieth century. The characters in these stories are caught in a world of political hypocrisy, which ultimately leads to death, their common fate. Although the stories Kis tells are based on historical events, the beauty and precision of his prose elevates these ostensibly true stories into works of literary art that transcend the politics of their time.

1976

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149 pages

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A Tomb for Boris Davidovich

Danilo Kis

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